Inglewood’s Transformation: A Booming Neighborhood Copes with Change

When my great-aunt Alena Cindy Giardina purchased her house in the Morningside Park area of Inglewood over fifty years ago, the neighborhood was flourishing. The city was already bustling with Hollywood Park’s lively racetrack, the Forum hosting major events, and the Lakers playing nearby.

However, in the past ten years, significant developments have taken place. The Metro line expanded, Hollywood Park evolved into a multi-use shopping center, and the new SoFi Stadium started attracting large-scale events to the area. There are upcoming plans to construct a luxury hotel and additional apartment complexes.

Giardina, who has experience as a Parks and Recreation commissioner for Inglewood and on the City Council, told me that when she moved there, the city was poised to become an exciting community.

“The city was on the verge of exploding and becoming a really fabulous community,” she said during an evening chat.

The bustling neighborhood is indicative of how much the city has transformed. On any given weekend, like the most recent one, thousands of visitors flood the area for various events. Hollywood Park hosted the 19th annual Hard Summer music festival with massive attendance. Simultaneously, the Kia Forum held two concerts, including one that coincided with the festival. SoFi Stadium is set for more concerts, having already hosted FIFA World Cup games.

Residents share their neighborhood with a multitude of visitors during significant events.

Adapting to Crowded Events

Large events bring road closures, heavy traffic, competition for parking, and noise. This requires both residents and the city to adapt.

On the first day of the Hard festival, Saturday followed the expected pattern of congestion and pedestrian management across closed streets in Hollywood Park. Vehicles backed up for a mile beyond SoFi Stadium, with street closures impacting areas beyond city limits.

Chandra Richardson, a five-year resident of Inglewood, mentioned developing a habit of checking local events before making plans.

“The only time I really get stuck is if I have something to do on Century Boulevard, which I try to avoid,” Richardson said.

This major road is adjacent to Hollywood Park, SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome, and more. One day, a forgotten game delayed Richardson’s visit to Target.

Parking prices near events can soar above $100, and signs indicating two-hour parking or tow-away zones maintain parking proximity for residents. A curfew limits late-night noise from venues.

Christyn Carter, living two miles from Morningside Park, noted the audible impact.

“Concerts outside of the stadium are so loud that we can hear them here. Those concerts that go late into the evening during the week can affect my sleep and my babies’ sleep.”

Richardson copes with noise using triple-paned windows and sometimes enjoys the stadium crowd’s roar during games.

Benefits Amidst Quiet

During quieter times, new developments offer advantages. Holly Park’s growth has certainly benefitted residents.

A recent evening in Hollywood Park saw community members engaging in various activities at Iconix Gym and local eateries, indicating positive local impact.

For my aunt Cindy, the community’s evolution represents progress.

“I am so proud to be part of this incredible melting pot where people from all walks of life fuse together and enjoy each other,” she shared.

Rising Prices: A Mixed Reception

Not everyone is pleased with these changes. The Lennox-Inglewood Tenants Union protested the SoFi construction, citing it as a crisis for renters. Inglewood’s affordability for homebuying has significantly shifted. The median home price rose by 84% between 2016 and 2021.